The function keys on keyboards don’t get the love they used to, but depending on the app you’re running, they can still be quite handy. Google Chrome has some interesting features tucked away behind your function keys. Here’s what they do.

Function Key

Basic Effect

Modifier

F1

Opens Google Chrome’s Help Center in a new tab.

None

F2

For this function key to do anything, you first need to be in the Elements panel of Chrome’s Developer Tools (in Chrome, press F12 or head to Tools > Developer Tools). Once there, pressing F2 will open the “edit as HTML” feature.

None

F3

Opens the “Find Bar” in Chrome, which lets you search for text on the current webpage. Ctrl+F also performs the same function.

None

F4

None

Ctrl+F4 closes the tab that you are currently viewing.

Alt+F4 closes the entire Chrome window.

F5

Reloads the current webpage.

Ctrl+F5 and Shift+F5 both reload the current web pages while ignoring cached content

F6

Toggles focus between the webpage, bookmark bar, and address bar.

None

F7

None

None

F8

Pauses and resumes script execution in the Sources Panel of the Developer Tools (head to Tools > Developer Tools > Source Panel to get there).

None

F9

None

None

F10

Steps over the next function call if you’re in the Sources Panel.

Shift+F10 opens your context menu. This has the same effect as right-clicking with your mouse.

F11

In a regular Chrome window, turns full-screen mode on and off. In the Sources Panel, F11 steps into the next function call.

Marshall GunnellMarshall Gunnell is a writer with experience in the technology industry. He worked at Synology, a manufacturer of network-attached storage solutions. Marshall also serves as CMO and technical staff writer at StorageReview, providing detailed reviews of storage technology. Read Full Bio »